Ash receiver and lamp assembly



Nov. 4, 1941.

' A. w. FRANCE 2,261,698

ASH RECEIVER AND LAMP ASSEMBLY FiledJune 9, 1938 2 Sheys-Sheet 1 11VVENTOR Arron/21 a .Nov. 4, 1941. A. w. FRANCE 5 ASH RECEIVER AND LAMPASSEMBLY Filed June 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y INVENTOR Hi a); l4?Earp-e.

' ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1941 ssn RECEIVER Alvin W. Prance, PleasantRidge, Mich, assignor to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit,

Micln, a corporation of Michigan Application June 9, 1938, Serial No.212,85d

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to an accessory for a motor vehicleadapted especially although not exclusively for use in the interior ofan automobile body.

Heretofore, it has been conventional practice to provide in anautomobile body some or all of the following appurtenances: a lampfixture and assembly for the interior of the body, a receptacle, suchfor example as an ash receiver, and a heat creating unit for lightingpurposes, such as a cigarette lighter. However, each of theseappurtenances has been installed heretofore as an independent accessoryentirely independent from the others in function, operation, structure,and location.

It is a principal object of my invention to obviate the expense,inconvenience and duplication of parts necessitated by the use of theseparate appurtenances mentioned above by providing an accessory whichcombines in one assembly alight source and a receptacle, and preferablyprovides, in addition, a heat creating unit for lighting purposes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and usefulaccessory assembly having a common mounting and supporting means for alamp and an ash receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle accessory whichensures more ready and convenient access to a receptacle and lighterunit by combining these articles as elements of one assembly and tofurther add to the convenience and .the comfort of an occupantof 8. ve-'hicle body by providing a lamp integrally associated therewith.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an accessory assemblyof the foregoing which is of relatively simple construction and in whichthe various parts are capable of easy and quick assembly and on whichcan be attached to or removed from its supporting surface with ease andfacility.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an accessoryassembly of the foregoing character which is inexpensive to manufacturebut at the same time is pleasingly ornamental in appearance.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, referenc being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective enclosed type embodying oneform of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionin its assembled form.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view in perspective, showing the various elementsof the present invention and indicating the manner in which they fittogether on assembly.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken through IOWS.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the'accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein i for thepurpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of th invention shown thereincomprises a lamp, receptacle and lighter assembly shown as a whole atl'when mounted on the rear face ii of a front seat of an enclosedautomobile body, as illustrated in Fig. 1. However, the assembly may bemount- 'ed at other suitable or convenient places and in some instancesmay be constructed without the lighter unit, that is as a combinationlamp and ash tray assembly. The accessory assembly, 7 comprisesgenerally four principal elements, namely, a main casing or body portion9, a hollow tubular lighter receptacle or socket Iii, an ash receptaclit, and a lighter element It, as best illustrated in Fig. 3.

The main casing or body 9 resembles in its general shape a threedimensioned triangular shell, the rear edges and end walls of which areso inclined that they'correspond to the angle of incli nation of theback seat 8, thereby positioning the front face of the casing 9 andconsequently the entire accessory in substantially a vertical plane. Thecasing 9 possesses in its outer facei relatively high and wide inwardlyextending enclosed recessed portion or chamber l3 and a considershowingthe rear interior of a vehicle body of he ably narrower cut out portionor window It (Fig. 5. directly thereover. which is, however,substantially coextensive with the recess It in width.

It will be observed that such a structure creates two relatively narrowbridging braces l and I6 spanning the width of the body or casing 9,which braces also form, respectively, the outer extremity of the top ofthe recessed portion l3 and that of the apex portion of the triangularcasing 9 as particularly depicted in Figs. 3 and 5. It will also beobserved that the brace l6 and, consequently, thetop portion of thecasing or frame 9 is rounded transversely rather than coming to asharply angled apex and is slightly arched longitudinally as well.

The braces l5 and I6 also serve to support and enclose a translucentpane or panel II, or other light transmitting medium which is insertedbetween and within them and serving to close the window or opening l3.This panel l'l may be held in place by overlapping edge portions, asshown in Fig. 5, and thus be removable. It may, however, be mounted inany other suitable manner.

Immediately behind the translucent pane l1 and fastened to the upperface of the top wall of the recess l3 by means of an angle bracket i8 isa lamp socket l9 carrying a lamp or light bulb 20. The socket and bulbmay be of any suitable conventional type and construction. The end ofthe bulb 20 contacts a clip or contact member 2| in the conventionalmanner to provide one electrical contact. The lamp unit is provided withthe usual electrical conductors 22, the storage battery of the vehiclebeing utilized as the source of electric current for activating the lampwhen the circuit is closed. The circuit is controlled by means of aswitch 23 which is also of conventional construction and in the presentelement l2 to be inserted in or to be removed from instance is of thetoggle type having a movable handle or control lever 23 extendingthrough a substantially vertical slot 25 in a hollow boss 26 pressed outfrom the metal of the casing 9 near the center of the cross piece l6thereof. It will be observed that the angle bracket [8 is provided withsuitable openings into which the lamp socket l9 and switch 23 areinserted and thus supported and retained in position in the rear of thetranslucent pane II.

The bottom wall of the chamber or recess 13 is pressed to provide a boss21 forming a substan-- tially semi-circular depression 28 runningtransversely from front to rear of the chamber l3. The tubular lighterreceptacle or socket III which is in the form of a hollow cylinder fitswithin the depression 20 and is secured to the casing 9 in any suitablemanner. adapted to receive the lighter element l2. The lighter assembly"I and I2 including its electrical connections may be of anyconventional type; but in the present instance a lighter unitconventionally known as the timed pop-out type is illustrated generallyin the drawings. However, since the construction of this unit isconventional and in itself forms no part of the present invention, adetailed description thereof is thought to be unnecessary.

The ash receptacle II, which is of generally rectangular construction,is designed and dimensioned to provide a sliding fit within the chamberl3 of the casing 9 when placed therein, but

is somewhat wider than the said chamber; consequently projectingtherefrom on assembly as shown in Fig. 5. The receptacle II is providedat its opposite side walls with lugs or projections 29 which arepreferably pressed out of the metal,

as shown, but may be formed in any suitable This tubular member [0 isway. These lugs 29 are cam-shaped so as to releasably engage yieldablespring locking members 30 mounted upon the inner side walls of therecess l3. --The ash receptacle is thus releasably held in positionwithin the recess l3 of the main casing 9 through the cooperation andinterlocking of the members 29 and 30. The front and rear walls of thereceptacle H are connected together at, or near, their" upper portionsby suitably spaced parallel cross braces 34 which serve the additionalfunction of providing a support or rest for a cigarette, a cigar, or thelike. It will be noted that the front wall of the receptacle H iscrowned or bowed so as to extend outwardly from the front face of thecasing 9. Moreover, the depth of the receptacle H is materially lessthan the height of the recess l3 so that upon the installation of theash receptacle within the casing 9, an opening of substantial depth isprovided between the upper edge of the receptacle H and the top wall ofthe recess l3, thus facilitating access to the receptacle when itisp'o'si' tioned within the casing, as shown in Figs. 2

and 5. I

It will be seen that the ash receptacle II is formed with an arch ortunnel-like passage 3| which is dimensioned to fit over the tubularmember l0. As this passage 3i extends from front to rear of the ashreceptacle II the receptacle when inserted within the recess l3 of thecasing will straddle the member In and will permit the the, receptacleor socket l0 without interfering with or disturbing the position of theash receptacle. The cigar or cigarette lighter element l2 has secured tothe outer end thereof a plate 32 adapted to fit within the front openingof the passage 3| when the lighting element 12 is in-,

serted within the socket or receptacle I0. Thus, the plate 32 not onlyforms a relatively snug closure for the front end of the passage 3|, butextends downwardly below the ash receptacle H, the depending extensionthereof covering and concealing the boss 21 formed in the bottom wall ofthe casing 9 as shown in Fig. 5. The portion of the closure plate 29which extends below the ash receptacle provides a convenient handgrip bymeans of which the lighter element I2 may be removed from the socket Illfor use in lighting a cigar or cigarette.

The assembly of the foregoing elements to form my completed 'andpositioned accessory takes place as follows: The body portion 9 issecured to a selected portion of a supporting surface upon which it isdesired to locate the accessory, preferably on the rear face 8 of theback seat in an automobile body as shown at I (Fig. 1). Suitablefastening means such as screws (not shown) are fitted into thecountersunk openings 33, 33 in the back wall of the casing 9. Thesescrews are threaded into the supporting surface and secure the bodyportion 9 thereto.

The receptacle H is placed within the body 9, the tunnel 3| thereinstraddling the tube 19 as described. The receptacle II is removable andis maintained in place by engagement of the projections 29 with thespring clips or looking members 30.

The lighter assembly [2 is inserted within the tube III, the closuresection 32 thereof fitting into the frontal opening of the tunnel 3| andextending downwardly as depicted.

The operation and use of the embodiment of the invention shown in thedrawings will be accuses readily understood.- The light or lamp 2!! maybe turned on as desired by an occupant of the vehicle by operation ofthe lever or control handle 24 of the switch 23, the rays of the lampfilament being projected through the window I! and not only lighting theaccessory unit but also the rear compartment of the vehicle. Thereceptacle ll contains an open top as shown and is readily andconveniently accessible for the disposal of ashes, refuse, or the otherundesired products therein by means of the upper portion of the chamberl3 in the way previously explained. The lighter unit i2 is operated bypressing in the plate 29 thereby creating an electrical contact in theusual way or is operated in some equivalent manner known in the artconcerning the particular type of lighting unit selected. In thepreferred timed pop-out variety the lighter l 2 works automatically andsprings outwardly when sufiiciently heated for lighting purposes.

From the foregoing it will be understood that I have provided a devicewhich presents for-the first time in one assembly, alight source, areceptacle, and preferably a lighter unit as well. By this singleassembly I have not only greatly lowered the cost of supplying theseaccessories within a vehicle body but have made them more convenientlyand readily accessible to an occupant thereof.

I claim:

1. An ash receiver comprising a casing having a chamber provided with afront opening, a

lighter unit mounted upon the bottom wall of the casing and projectingabove the same, and a removable ash receptacle fitting within saidchamber and recessed to straddle said lighter unit.

2. An ash receiver comprising a casing having a chamber provided with afront opening, a lighter unit mounted upon the bottom wall of the casingand projecting above the same, and a removable ash receptacle fittingwithin said chamber and having a transverse tunnel in its base toreceive said lighter unit.

3. An ash receiver comprising a casing having a chamber provided with afront opening, a lighter unit mounted upon the bottom wall of the casingand projecting above the same, a

removable ash receptacle fitting within said chamber and having atransverse tunnel in its base to receive said lighter unit, said lighterunit having a removable element, and a member carried by said elementproviding a closure for the front end of said tunnel.

4. An ash receiver comprising a casing having a chamber provided with afront opening, a

lighter unit mounted upon the bottom wall of the casing and projectingabove the same, a re-.

movable ash receptacle fitting within said chamber and having atransverse tunnel in its base to receive the said lighter unit, saidlighter unit having a removable element which carries a member thatserves as a closure for the front end of said tunnel extendingtherebelow to provide a handgrip for the lighter unit.

5. A vehicle accessory comprising a casing having a light transmittingfacing, a recessed portion therebeneath having a substantiallysemi-circular depression running transversely across its bottom, ahollow tubular member secured within the depression, a receptacle adapted to fit within the recessed portion provided with a raised portionadapted to fit over said tubular member, and a heat creating lightingelement removably inserted within the tubular member. v

6. A motor vehicle accessory comprising a casing having an inwardlyextending recessed portion and a light transmitting medium integrallyassociated with its upper portion, a controllable light source situatedbehind said medium and adapted to illuminate said recessed portion, and

7. A motor vehicle accessory comprising a cas-- ing having a recess inits front face, a lighter unit mounted on the bottom wall of the casingand projecting thereabove,,a recessed ash receptacle maintained withinthe lower portion only'of said recess and straddling said lighter unit,said receptacle being accessible through the upper portion of therecess, and means for illuminating said upper portion of the recess formaking the receptacle visible, said means comprising a lighttransmitting pane carried by said casing above and adjacent the top ofthe recess and an electric lamp mounted on the casing in the rear ofsaid pane.

8. A vehicle accessory comprising a casing having alight transmittingfacing, and a recessed portion therebeneath, said recessed portionhaving a substantially semi-circular depression running transverselyacross its bottom, a hollow tubular member secured within thedepression, an open-topped ash receptacle removably fitted within thelower portion only of said recessed portion, said receptacle beingaccessible through the open upper part of the recessed portion andhaving a raised partfitting over said tubular member, a heat treatinglighting element removably maintained within the tubular member, and alamp mounted on said casing behind said light transmitting facing,whereby light trans-

